This book assesses the impact of interest groups to determine if collectively they are capable of shaping policy in their own interests or whether they influence policy only at the margins.

This valuable handbook makes the U.S. health care system understandable, reviews the Affordable Care Act (ACA) or "Obamacare," describes past health care reform efforts, and covers the important organizations and people involved in U.S. health care reform. Why does the United States produce poorer outcomes for Americans in terms of health care than most other developed countries that spend a lower percentage of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health care? Should health insurance be private or should it be managed by the government? The second edition of Healthcare Reform in America: A Reference Handbook addresses these complex and difficult questions and many more in its thorough treatment of one of the most controversial issues in contemporary American discourse. The work provides a broad introduction to the history and key issues in the development and reform of the U.S. health care system. It then addresses the recent passage of the Affordable Care Act and the myriad of significant expected changes due to the Act, thereby providing readers with information essential to understanding the current issues regarding health care reform. This work serves as a valuable resource to high school and college students as well as to general readers wanting to learn about the history and current focus of health care reform in the United States.

Covering the period up through the 2012 elections, this book accomplishes three important goals: First, it introduces readers to the American approach to public policy making; second, it surveys American public policy and policymaking in all the major policy areas from economic policy to health care policy to environmental policy; and finally the book challenges readers to come to terms with the widely shared but often competing values that must be balanced and rebalanced in the ongoing policy making process. The book is well-illustrated and includes case studies, terms, and study questions.

Covering the period up through the 2012 elections, this book accomplishes three important goals: First, it introduces readers to the American approach to public policy making; second, it surveys American public policy and policymaking in all the major policy areas from economic policy to health care policy to environmental policy; and finally the book challenges readers to come to terms with the widely shared but often competing values that must be balanced and rebalanced in the ongoing policy making process. The book is well-illustrated and includes case studies, terms, and study questions.

State governments in the past decade have had to take on the problem of health care, with mixed results. This collection of 11 essays (of which two are an introduction and conclusion) by academics and policy makers consider the many issues that concern health care in the US and their effects at the state level, including managed care, health insurance expansion, mental health care, public health administration, and bureaucratic reactions to health policy. Hackey teaches health policy and management at Providence College in Rhode Island; Rochefort teaches political science and public administration at Northeastern U. in Boston. c. Book News Inc.

This is the first book devoted to examining why some issues proposed by aggrieved individuals or groups are denied access to policy agendas. The book contains case studies that look at the policy process from the perspective of the strategies opponents often use to ensure agenda denial--strategies usually motivated by perceived threats to widely held world views and identities.

The new edition of this respected resource enables readers to analyze policy issues, enhance their political knowledge and skills, and prepare for leadership roles in policy-making and public health. Over 100 well-known nurses explore policy and politics, strategies for policy development and political action, and the application of these strategies in the four spheres of workplace, government, organizations and community.

Ideally, the public fund behind this insurance would be derived from a progressive income tax."--BOOK JACKET.